Biotech, pharma finish higher

ValBrickates Kennedy

BOSTON (CBS.MW) - Shares of Curis gained over 7 percent on Wednesday as both the biotechnology and pharmaceutical sectors finished significantly higher.

The Amex Pharmaceutical Index
$DRG
closed up 0.91 percent at 320.29 and the Amex Biotechnology Index rose 2.08 percent at 501.11 following a relatively positive trading day for the biomedical sector on Wall Street.

Regenerative-medicine researcher Curis
CRIS, -1.62%
was an early mover in the day. The small biotech said that a report appearing in a noted science journal has found that its "Hedgehog" technology shows promise in combating tumors associated with prostate cancer. Curis shares were up 7.86 percent at $4.13

Shares of Allergan
AGN, -0.80%
also climbed, up $1.28 at $73.97. The eye-care conglomerate said late Tuesday that it had filed suit against rival Alcon
ACL, -2.86%
alleging that Alcon committed patent infringement by filing for U.S. regulatory approval of a generic version of Alphagan, Allergan's ophthalmic drug.

Intraday Data provided by SIX Financial Information and subject to terms of use. Historical and current end-of-day data provided by SIX Financial Information. All quotes are in local exchange time. Real-time last sale data for U.S. stock quotes reflect trades reported through Nasdaq only. Intraday data delayed at least 15 minutes or per exchange requirements.